524 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



ance. Like a- valuable animal of any kind, they denote a capacity for business, and that is 

 just what they possess. 



The breeding stock should be selected with a view to large size, uniformity in markings, 

 small combs, and, if possible, with yellow shanks blotched with black. They, like the Black 

 variety, were bred very carelessly regarding fine points by those who accidentally produced 

 the original stock; but careful breeders are now improving them from year to year, and 

 even now the uniformity of markings is equal to that of the Houdan, which has been bred 

 so many years. 



In order to breed any stock satisfactorily, certain rules must be understood and fo -lowed. 

 Some may have raised superior specimens, regardless of all rules, by the force of qualities 

 already inbred, but improvements cannot be expected unless great care is observed in cross 

 ing and mating. Fowls with superior qualities already inbred will continue to reproduce 

 good specimens with far less trouble than was required to bring them to that desired point; 

 still they will deteriorate rapidly unless great care is exercised in the selection for breeding 

 purposes. 



Merits and Defects of Javas. In our opinion, no fowls are better calculated to 

 adapt themselves to the wants of him who desires, in his poultry, an automatic machine that 

 will manufacture eggs and chickens unaided and uncared for, yet I hope they may never fall 

 into such unworthy hands. They are certainly adapted to the farmer who gives his fowls free 

 range and good quarters, one who desires large profit in eggs and flesh. No better choice 

 can be made by him who has only a small yard and likes a combination of beauty and utility, and 

 who does not want a kind that is always in his neighbor s yard. 



I have bred Plymouth Rocks for ten years, and in points of utility have considered them 

 fully equal to any other recognized variety. I still value them, in this respect, as highly as 

 ever, but the great trouble with them is that they breed too many imperfections. In order 

 to get two or three pairs of exhibition birds we must breed a score or more chicks. Javas 

 possess all the good qualities of Plymouth Rocks, without so many defects. Prom a flock of 

 fifty or more, there will be only a small per cent, of culls, instead of a small per cent, of good 

 birds. Java hens are good breeders and rear their chicks well, yet are far less persistent in 

 sitting than Asiatics. They are good summer and winter layers, and the chicks are ready 

 for broilers at an early age. 



In all kinds of thoroughbred stock we have an acknowledged standard, a certain estab 

 lished type representing every point in perfection. Some of these points may be so thor 

 oughly established that little or no care is required to retain them, while others are seldom 

 reached. The type for Black Javas is, body long and broad; breast deep and full; comb 

 single, straight, and of medium size; eyes brown, the darker the better; shanks black, or 

 black approaching willow; plumage rich, lustrous black throughout. 



Every experienced breeder knows that all stock has what may be termed common defects, 

 faults that often manifest themselves. It is with these that we have to contend in breeding 

 for fine points, hence the necessity of thoroughly understanding them. Among the common 

 faults of all black fowls, are occasional white or red feathers. Javas are not exempt from 

 these faults, and, in addition, crooked combs and light colored eyes often annoy us.&quot; 



